Polar Bear Plunge Canceled Because of Weather

People jump into the Chesapeake Bay at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, Maryland. (Credit: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Special Olympics Maryland has canceled the annual Polar Bear Plunge because of high winds, tall waves and below-freezing temperatures.

Organizers say more than 7,000 people had signed up to take a dip in the Chesapeake Bay on Saturday morning to raise money for the Special Olympics.

But they say that after consulting with the state police and park service, they determined that there was no safe way to hold the event.

People who still want to pledge donations can submit their contributions through a state police barracks or the Special Olympics Maryland office. Organizers say they’re still short of their $2.5 million fundraising goal.